Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson wants everyone to know: she never dated Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida).
Hutchinson’s new book, Enough, was released on Tuesday. In it, she details her experiences working for the White House during Trump’s administration, including inappropriate moments with Gaetz.
One story claims that Gaetz “brushed his thumb across [her[ chin” and asked her, “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a national treasure?”
In another instance, Hutchinson recalls Gaetz allegedly knocking on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy‘s (R-California) cabin door during a Camp David retreat, looking for Hutchinson. When asked what he needed, he allegedly claimed that “he was lost and needed [Hutchinson] to escort him back to his cabin.” McCarthy told him “to get a life” before closing the door.
While discussing her new book on MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, Rachel Maddow asked Hutchinson what she thought of a statement Gaetz provided the talk show host, denying the alleged incidents.
“I don’t remember either of these events and based on Cassidy’s prior false statements, I doubt they occurred,” Gaetz said in the statement. “I did date Cassidy for a few weeks when we were both single years ago. We parted amicably and remained friends thereafter, even during President Trump’s post presidency when she asked me to help her secure housing in south Florida because she was eager to continue working for President Trump.”
In response to Gaetz’s statement, Hutchinson credited him, saying they did have “an amicable working relationship” and were “good friends —at points.”
Although she agreed to their friendship, she said, “I have never dated Matt Gaetz.”
“I have much higher standards in men, and Matt, frankly, is a very unserious politician,” Hutchinson added. “I don’t really have much else to say to somebody that is more concerned about a soundbite than actually passing legislation.”
